Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

NATO activates its Response Force for the first time

03/01/2022

Although NATO has assured on more than one occasion that it will not intervene militarily against Russia over Ukraine, the fact is that member countries are carrying out a historic deployment of air assets to reinforce the security of the eastern border and to keep under close surveillance all movements of Russian forces in the operational theater.

In war speech, German Chancellor Scholz triples defense budget to rearm against Russia

03/01/2022

The Socialist Equality Party (Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, SGP) and the World Socialist Web Site condemn the war offensive announced yesterday by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrats, SPD) in the German parliament (Bundestag) and supported by all the Bundestag parties.

Russian Su-35 ‘Dogfights’ MiG-29 Fighter Jets Of Ukrainian Air Force In A Breathtaking Battle Between Two Former Soviet Republics

03/01/2022

A video purportedly showing a dogfight between two fighter jets over the skies of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has caused quite a stir on social media. According to some unconfirmed reports, a Ukrainian MiG-29 was seen engaging a Russian Su-35 in the vicinity of the capital.

Can Ukraine Really Use Donated Fighter Jets? That Depends

03/01/2022

Perhaps the most eye-popping of today’s pledges to ship weapons to the Ukrainian military was the European Union’s announcement that it would soon send fighter jets. Would Ukrainian pilots really be able to jump in a donated jet and fly into combat? Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle says sure, if it’s a type they already know how to fly.

8 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ

02/28/2022

Eight Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Saturday (Feb. 26), marking the 15th intrusion this month. Four People’s Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-11 fighter jets, two Shenyang J-16 fighters, and two Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defense assets to track them.

Beijing Bewildered As Ukraine ‘Shoots Down’ Russia’s Most Advanced Attack Helicopter On Shopping List Of Chinese PLA Navy?

02/28/2022

As per videos going viral on social media, it appears the Ukrainian military shot down two Ka-52s on the very first day of the Russian invasion. Called ‘Alligator’, Ka-52 is touted as Russia’s most sophisticated attack helicopter. The choppers are frequently compared with the US Army’s AH-64 Apache. Last year, several publications including The EurAsian Times and South China Morning Post reported that China was considering buying the Russian attack chopper.

US condemns Putin's nuclear alert order as EU to close airspace to Russian planes

02/28/2022

The United States and NATO on Sunday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to put his nuclear forces on high alert as dangerous and unacceptable, while the White House said it has not ruled out imposing new sanctions on Russia's energy sector.

Glimpse of peace! Ukraine and Russia to hold talks on border with Belarus

02/28/2022

Ukraine agreed on Sunday to hold talks with Russia on the former’s border with Belarus, near Chernobyl city, after mediation efforts by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Russian forces continued their advance into Ukraine for the fourth day of their offensive, while western powers imposed heavy sanctions on Moscow.

Russian invasion update: Ukrainian aviation strikes six columns of Russian military equipment

02/28/2022

Today, bombardment and assault aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired missiles at six columns of military equipment of the Russian aggressor. "This day was quite difficult for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The occupiers continue shelling in almost all directions of the front line. The Air Force opposes the aggressor both in sky and on earth. The aviation garrison in Vasylkiv heroically defends itself, withstanding massive shelling and enemy attacks.

Ukrainian Government: The An-225 Mriya, World’s Heaviest Aircraft, Has Been Destroyed

02/28/2022

There’s yet another victim of the conflict underway in Ukraine: the only Antonov An-225 ‘Mriya’ (‘Dream” in Ukrainian). The Mriya (NATO reporting name: Cossack) was designed at the end of Cold War and its purpose was to carry the Soviet “Buran” space shuttle and parts of the “Energia” rocket on its back. It operated as the primary method of transporting the Buran-class orbiters from 1988 to 1991. After remaining unused for some years, it was put back in service by Antonov Airlines, a Ukrainian c

Let’s Discuss Which Nations Could Donate ‘Fighter Jets’ to Ukraine

02/28/2022

Ukraine has received and will continue to receive military aid from NATO and European Union nations. While additional equipment could be supplied in the near future, the Ukrainian Air Force has recently received resupplies of air-to-air missiles used by its combat planes that continue to fight against the Russian Air Force in the skies over Ukraine.

Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert as Russian troops enter Kharkiv - live updates

02/27/2022

In a dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.

Italy Doubles The Number Of Eurofighters Deployed To Romania, Prepares To Send Military Aid To Ukraine

02/27/2022

“Beginning tomorrow Italy will strengthen the its presence in Romania, doubling the number of aircraft already supporting the Air Policing mission” Italy Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini said. In other words, four additional Eurofighter Typhoon jets will deploy to Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase bringing to 8 the total number of Italian Air Force fighters supporting NATO’s eAPA-S (Enhanced Air Policing Area South).

How Ukrainian defiance has derailed Putin’s plans

02/27/2022

Three days after the invasion there are signs that Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is not quite going to plan. In the Sumy region, close to the border with Russia, a local resident came across an extraordinary sight. On a country road lined with birch trees, a Russian armoured vehicle had broken down.

Reports: “Two Russian Il-76s Shot Down” in Ukraine, Combat Erupts in Kyiv

02/27/2022

As the sun rises on day three of the Ukrainian war with Russia, reports have surfaced that two Russian Ilyushin Il-76 heavy transports were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. Russia has not acknowledged the loss of any of its Il-76 aircraft. On Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have shot down one Russian Il-76 transport near Vasylkiv, south of the capital in Kyiv. Ukrainian reports claimed the aircraft was carrying a “landing force” but did not specify any number of casu

Blinken authorizes $350 million more in US military assistance to Ukraine

02/27/2022

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday he has authorized $350 million in new US military assistance to Ukraine. “This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing. It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation,” he added.

With Activation of NATO Response Force, U.S. Military Ready to Provide Forces

02/27/2022

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today announced activation of the alliance's defense plans, which means also that it can deploy the NATO Defense Force. The U.S. Defense Department now stands ready to provide capabilities to help fill that defense force, if asked to do so, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.

Russia lost heavy equipment due to Ukrainian resistance.

02/27/2022

Under attack from Russian forces on three fronts and subjected to a heavy barrage of airstrikes and land-based fires in Europe’s largest security crisis since the Second World War, Ukraine has proven itself capable of meaningful resistance and inflicted equipment losses on invading forces that give credibility to prior forecasts suggesting a quick Russian victory would not transpire, despite the substantial asymmetric advantage held by Moscow.

DEFEXPO 2022: Lockheed Martin to Pitch F-21 Fighters for IAF

02/26/2022

American defence major Lockheed Martin will be showcasing its diverse portfolio of defence capabilities and solutions at the 12th biennial edition of India’s DEFEXPO 2022, starting from 10 March at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The company’s exhibit this year includes a broad span of advanced technologies from aeronautics, rotary and mission systems, and missiles and fire control business areas.

US troops and equipment arrive in Lithuania for drills

02/26/2022

"The first column of troops and combat equipment from the US Army's 3rd Cavalry Regiment crossed the Lithuanian border near Kalvarija at around 3 a.m.," the Lithuanian Armed Forces said. The troops and equipment, including infantry fighting vehicles, armored SUVs and trucks, will be taking part in the Saber Strike drills in the Baltic states and Poland, it said.

Ukraine's president urges resistance to invasion: "We are defending our country alone"

02/26/2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a new video message Friday morning, urging resistance to the Russian invasion and criticizing Ukraine's allies for the second time in just a few hours.

'I won't trigger a European war': Defence Secretary Ben Wallace rules out NATO enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as he warns it would pit 'British fighter jets directly against Russian fighter jets' and plunge the entire continent into conflict

02/26/2022

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today ruled out NATO enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as he warned such a move would likely plunge the entire European continent into war. There have been calls from Ukraine, and from some Tory MPs, for the UK to provide air support to Kiev as it tries to beat back the Russian invasion.

NATO allies to provide more weapons to Ukraine, Stoltenberg says

02/26/2022

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the alliance was deploying parts of its combat-ready response force and would continue to send weapons to Ukraine, including air defences, while saying that Russia was trying to topple the Ukrainian government. "We see rhetoric, the messages, which is strongly indicating that the aim is to remove the democratically elected government in Kyiv," he told a news conference following a virtual meeting of NATO leaders.

British-donated military kit used to shoot down Russian planes, Ukrainian ambassador to UK says

02/25/2022

Vadym Prystaiko, speaking in London this afternoon, promised there will be fighting in the streets of Ukraine if Russia's Vladimir Putin continues with his apparent expansion plans. He appeared to thank the UK, revealing that British-supplied military kit has been used to shoot down Russian aircraft. Prystaiko called for a no-fly zone to be put in place over his country, saying he wanted “something which only NATO can provide”.

These are the planes the US is using to watch Russia’s military movements

02/25/2022

The Army’s first manned spy plane and an Air Force “nuke sniffer” have been among the surveillance aircraft watching Russia’s military movements during the Kremlin’s planning and execution of its latest invasion of Ukraine. For weeks, aviation spotters have been following the Air Force’s RQ-4 Global Hawk, RC-135 Rivet Joint, WC-135 Constant Phoenix and E-8C, an Army prototype called ARTEMIS, as well as other U.S. and NATO aircraft flying in Ukraine or in neighboring areas.